Cutless Bearing R&R - tilt engine?

Has anyone ever disconnected their transmission mounts and tilted the engine forward enough to slide the shaft up under the transmission and out of the strut to change the bearing? I just don't want to dink around with baking the coupler on reinstallation. Option two is send it down to Duane and have it turned for an ARE coupler. Option three is to pull the engine.

Particular application in question is an 88 Barefoot with a PCM 454.

KenO, up for a challenge?

I'm morally against it.

Interference fit = magic

Man up Kev

Nice! My tilt theory definitely is looking good.

If the coupler comes off the shaft is going to Duane. I've got a nice shaft pile going down there already.

Once you have the engine hoist hooked up, why screw around tilting it? Disconnect 2 more mounts, fuel line & maybe some wires & you can lift it up enough to clear.   You don't have to lift it entirely out of the boat.    Depending on how much slack there is in the wire harness, you might even be able to leave wires connected.

Will the pylon even allow it to tilt that far?

Edit - OK, took a couple minutes to realize the danger of lifting the engine. - I would be inclined to repaint it!

The hub comes off pretty easy compared to many other jobs I have tackled over the years.
I used longer bolts and put a socket between the shaft and the tranny.   Tightened the bolts slowly, constantly turning to keep the pressure even as possible and it slid right out.
Done it this way three times. Simple and less than a half hour labor start to finish.   I would think much faster than any other option.   Once out you can install one of the new machined shafts you are having done and avoid the hot coupling install.   I did that once and it was no big deal either but I don't like doing it.    Unless your engine needs other work done like the pan gasket change shown.    Current boat now has an ARE Shaft thanks to great forum guidance, it is a much easier set up.

We should have done a cutlass when the trans was out a few years ago. Live and learn. This will be an automatic consideration on any boat from now on that has a transmission out.

We're going to proceed with the tilt and if it doesn't work put the engine back down, press off the coupling with the socket/bolt method and send the shaft to Duane. He already did the first round of inspection and straightening so I have a few to get out of his way.